Frequently Asked Questions

HOW LONG HAS BONI GOALIE TRAINERS BEEN IN BUSINESS?

Over 35 years! In a world where twenty percent of new companies fail in the first year and almost fifty percent of new companies fail in the first three years we are proud to be serving the hockey community world wide with our growing line of training equipment and supplies.

WHEN WAS THE PUCK SHOOTING MACHINE INVENTED?

Orlando Boni got the idea for a puck shooting machine to train himself after a particularly grueling night in the net in the mid 1960's.

Our first puck shooting machine patent was filed in September 1969.

Our first ad was run in "The Hockey News" in 1972.

Our first appearance on national television was an interview by Bryant Gumble on the NBC News in 1973.

The first hockey school to use a Boni puck shooting machine was the "Los Angles Kings Hockey School" in August 1973 at the Culver City Arena.

Our first hockey show was "Hockey Expo '73" in Toronto's Four Seasons Hilton.

The first puck shooting machine to shoot over 100 mph, was 104 mph by a "Boni Testing Machine" as confirmed by a digital display in the winter of 1976.

The first battery operated Boni puck shooting machine was sold to the NHL team the St. Louis Blues, in August 1975.

Our first appearance on "Hockey Night in Canada" was during Showdown in 1976.

Our first computer controlled puck shooting machine was built in 1976.

The first NHL pro goalie to buy a puck shooting machine was Glen Hanlon in 1979.

WHAT ABOUT AN AUTOMATIC PUCK SHOOTING MACHINE?

Our model "Puck Passer" has multi-mode timing and remote control and is used primarily in complex team exercises and to help simulate and repeat certain plays.

Effective training of a goalie involves more that just shooting pucks. We recommend working with an experienced trainer, one who has the ability to identify a goalies weaknesses and develop exercises that change with the goalies increasing abilities.

We do not recommend working out using a puck shooting machine that is programmed for random or fixed patterns, think of this like a boxer working out with a good sparring partner versus a punching bag. To train, the trainer must react with the goalie. We believe fixed repetitions should be left for the weight room.

WHAT WILL A "BONI" PUCK SHOOTING MACHINE DO?

Give shots from 5 M.P.H. up to 85 M.P.H.

Shoot pucks along ice to net, stick, or skates

Shoot pucks from ice level to the top of the net, and repeatably to any specific area.

It can help young goalies to get used to the puck coming at them without the fear of getting hurt. A multitude of controlled shots to the body in a well organized practice tends to eliminate puck fright. Giving the young goalie a sense of confidence in his abilities.

It can be the coach's right arm in a practice session.

HOW MANY PUCKS DOES IT HOLD?

A standard "Porta-Puck" or "Puck Passer" holds 40 pucks in the shooting tube but extra tubes are available and they can be used to refill the machine for continuous operation.

We invented the large capacity puck hopper in the late 1960's and offered the NP1 machine which held 240 pucks for many years and found the extra weight, size and cost far outweighed any advantage of the extra capacity.

HOW DOES THE GOALIE SEE THE PUCK SHOOTING MACHINE?

White frontboard creating contrast behind the emerging puck.

Goalie can see chute from which the pucks come from.

There is ample puck anticipation, goalies become familiar soon.

It can be as close as ten feet, the blue line, or as far back as center ice.

Pucks approach goalie at ice surface level or as raised shots.

HOW IS IT CONSTRUCTED?

Steering: back pivoting to enable scanning of net.

Easily moved on the ice by the four tires it is mounted on.

Well constructed and easy to maintain.

Electrically operated which means it is always ready for use.

Velocity-Control for different speeds of pucks

Elevation- to raise and lower puck shooting angle.

Firing- to engage puck delivery, one lever in center of control panel sends puck towards goalie.

HOW IS THE PUCK SHOOTING MACHINE OPERATED?

Easily explainable.

Nothing delicate.

Machine must be respected in as much as pucks can be dangerous to goalies. Whether shot by players or such a device as this.

Goalies can work out goalies alternating positions.

With the variable speed control, this device may be used with complete safety to minor players. Young goalies from age 5 on up may benefit from this machine.